TECSUN PL-310ET

TECSUN PL-310ET Portable World Band Radio Instruction Manual

Model: PL-310ET | Brand: TECSUN

Introduction

Thank you for purchasing the TECSUN PL-310ET Portable World Band Radio. This radio features advanced Digital Signal Processing (DSP) technology, providing excellent sensitivity, selectivity, and anti-interference capabilities across FM, Longwave (LW), Mediumwave (MW), and Shortwave (SW) bands. This manual will guide you through the setup, operation, and maintenance of your new radio to ensure optimal performance and enjoyment.

Safety Information

  • Do not expose the radio to extreme temperatures, direct sunlight, or high humidity.
  • Avoid dropping the radio or subjecting it to strong impacts.
  • Keep the radio away from strong magnetic fields.
  • Do not attempt to disassemble or modify the radio. This will void the warranty.
  • Use only recommended batteries and dispose of them properly.
  • Clean the radio with a soft, dry cloth. Do not use liquid cleaners or aerosols.
  • When using headphones, keep the volume at a moderate level to prevent hearing damage.

Package Contents

Please check that all items are present in your package:

  • TECSUN PL-310ET Radio
  • Earphones
  • Instruction Manual (this document)

Product Overview

Control Locations

Familiarize yourself with the buttons, ports, and features of your TECSUN PL-310ET radio using the diagram below.

TECSUN PL-310ET Radio Control Locations Diagram

Image: Front, side, and rear views of the TECSUN PL-310ET radio with numbered labels indicating control locations.

  1. Power On/Off button
  2. Display & Lock button
  3. Light / Snooze button
  4. Easy Tuning Mode (ETM) button
  5. VM / VF button (View Memory / View Frequency)
  6. FM / AM BW button (Bandwidth selection)
  7. FM / ATS button (FM band selector and Auto Tuning Storage)
  8. MW / LW button (MW / LW band selector & Auto Tuning Storage)
  9. SW / ATS button (SW meter band selector & Auto Tuning Storage)
  10. Enter / Delete button
  11. Memory button
  12. Numeric keypad (0-9)
  13. Time Set button
  14. Alarm Set button
  15. FM & SW Antenna Jack (for external antenna)
  16. Earphone Jack (3.5mm)
  17. USB 5V DC-IN Jack (for power/charging)
  18. FM & SW Telescopic Antenna
  19. Multifunctional Tuning Knob
  20. Back Stand
  21. Volume Knob
  22. Battery Compartment

LCD Display

The LCD provides important information about the radio's status and current settings.

TECSUN PL-310ET Radio LCD Display Diagram

Image: Detailed diagram of the TECSUN PL-310ET's LCD screen with numbered indicators for various display elements.

  1. Battery consumption indicator
  2. Sleep indicator
  3. Alarm indicator ("alarm by radio" or "alarm by buzzer")
  4. Temperature (Temp.) display
  5. AM, PM indicator for 12-hour format clock
  6. Signal indicators (dBu: signal strength unit, dB: Signal to Noise Ratio (S/N) unit)
  7. Alarm indicator
  8. Meter band indicator
  9. Preset memory address indicator
  10. ETM indicator
  11. Tuning speed indicator ("<<" Slow Tuning, ">>" Fast Tuning)
  12. Frequency unit for MW, LW & SW (kHz); frequency unit for FM (MHz)
  13. Digital number display (4 Digits) - Shows local time, alarm time, temperature when radio is off. Shows frequency, signal strength, S/N ratio, temperature, memory address, meter band when radio is on.
  14. Master Digits - Shows local time when radio is off. Shows frequency, band display when radio is on.
  15. Key-lock indicator
  16. FM stereo status indicator
  17. Band indicator
  18. Ni-MH Battery Symbol (indicates Ni-MH battery charging)

Physical Features

TECSUN PL-310ET Side View with Tuning and Volume Knobs

Image: Side view of the radio showing the multifunctional tuning knob and volume knob for easy adjustment.

TECSUN PL-310ET Rear View with Antenna and Ports

Image: Rear view of the radio displaying the telescopic antenna, external antenna jack, earphone jack, and USB DC-IN port.

Setup

1. Battery Installation

  1. Open the battery compartment cover located on the back of the radio (22).
  2. Insert three (3) AA size batteries, observing the correct polarity (+/-) as indicated inside the compartment.
  3. Close the battery compartment cover securely.
  4. If using rechargeable Ni-MH batteries, ensure the radio's internal charging function is enabled (refer to charging section). The Ni-MH Battery Symbol (18) will appear on the LCD.

2. Initial Power On

  • Press the Power On/Off button (1) to turn on the radio.
  • The LCD display will light up, showing the current time or frequency.

3. Antenna Adjustment

  • For FM and Shortwave (SW) reception, extend the telescopic antenna (18) fully and adjust its angle for best reception.
  • For Longwave (LW) and Mediumwave (MW) reception, the radio uses a built-in ferrite bar antenna. Rotate the radio for optimal signal.
  • For enhanced FM/SW reception, an external antenna can be connected to the FM & SW Antenna Jack (15).

Operating Instructions

Power On/Off and Volume Control

  • To turn the radio on or off, press the Power On/Off button (1).
  • Adjust the listening volume using the Volume Knob (21) on the side of the radio.

Band Selection

Press the corresponding band button to switch between frequency bands:

  • Press FM / ATS button (7) for FM band.
  • Press MW / LW button (8) for Mediumwave or Longwave. Press repeatedly to toggle between MW and LW.
  • Press SW / ATS button (9) for Shortwave. Press repeatedly to cycle through SW meter bands.

Tuning Methods

The PL-310ET offers several ways to tune into stations:

  • Manual Tuning: Rotate the Multifunctional Tuning Knob (19) to manually adjust the frequency. The tuning speed indicator (11) will show "<<" for slow tuning or ">>" for fast tuning.
  • Direct Frequency Entry: Use the Numeric Keypad (12) to enter the desired frequency directly, then press Enter (10).
  • Automatic Tuning Storage (ATS):
    1. Select the desired band (FM, MW, LW, or SW).
    2. Press and hold the corresponding ATS button (7, 8, or 9) for about 2 seconds. The radio will automatically scan and store all strong stations into memory.
  • Easy Tuning Mode (ETM):
    1. Press the ETM button (4). The ETM indicator (10) will appear.
    2. Rotate the Multifunctional Tuning Knob (19) to quickly browse through stations stored in ETM memory for the current time period. ETM stores stations based on time of day, optimizing for reception at different hours.
    3. Press ETM again to exit ETM mode.
  • Memory Presets:
    1. Storing a Station: Tune to the desired station. Press the Memory button (11), then use the Numeric Keypad (12) to enter a memory address (e.g., 01-100), and press Enter (10).
    2. Recalling a Station: Press the VM / VF button (5) to enter memory view mode. Use the Multifunctional Tuning Knob (19) or Numeric Keypad (12) to select the desired memory address, then press Enter (10).

Setting Time and Alarm

  • Setting Time:
    1. With the radio off, press and hold the Time Set button (13).
    2. Use the Multifunctional Tuning Knob (19) or Numeric Keypad (12) to adjust hours and minutes.
    3. Press Time Set again to confirm.
  • Setting Alarm:
    1. With the radio off, press and hold the Alarm Set button (14).
    2. Use the Multifunctional Tuning Knob (19) or Numeric Keypad (12) to set the alarm time.
    3. Press Alarm Set again to confirm.
    4. To activate/deactivate the alarm, briefly press the Alarm Set button. The alarm indicator (3) will show if the alarm is active.
    5. To choose between alarm by radio or alarm by buzzer, press and hold the Alarm Set button until the desired icon appears.
  • Snooze Function: When the alarm sounds, press the Light / Snooze button (3) to activate snooze. The alarm will sound again after 5 minutes.

Key Lock Function

  • To prevent accidental operation, press and hold the Display & Lock button (2) for about 2 seconds. The key-lock indicator (15) will appear on the LCD.
  • Repeat the action to unlock the keypad.

Backlight and Temperature Display

  • Briefly press the Light / Snooze button (3) to turn on the backlight for a few seconds.
  • The radio displays the ambient temperature (4) on the LCD.

Charging Ni-MH Batteries (if applicable)

  • If using rechargeable Ni-MH batteries, connect the radio to a 5V USB power source using a compatible USB cable via the USB 5V DC-IN Jack (17).
  • The Ni-MH Battery Symbol (18) on the LCD indicates charging is in progress.
  • Ensure the radio is set to charge Ni-MH batteries if this option is available (refer to specific settings in the full manual if needed).

Maintenance

  • Cleaning: Wipe the radio's surface with a soft, slightly damp cloth. Do not use abrasive cleaners, alcohol, or solvents.
  • Storage: If the radio will not be used for an extended period, remove the batteries to prevent leakage. Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
  • Battery Care: Replace all batteries at the same time. Do not mix old and new batteries or different types of batteries.

Troubleshooting

ProblemPossible CauseSolution
No powerBatteries are dead or incorrectly inserted.Replace batteries or check polarity. Ensure power button is pressed.
Poor reception / StaticWeak signal, antenna not extended, interference.Extend telescopic antenna fully. Rotate the radio for MW/LW. Try an external antenna. Move away from electronic devices.
No sound from speakerVolume too low, headphones connected.Increase volume. Disconnect headphones if not in use.
Keypad unresponsiveKey lock function is active.Press and hold the Display & Lock button (2) to unlock.

Specifications

  • Brand: TECSUN
  • Model: PL-310ET
  • Color: Black
  • Dimensions (L x W x H): 14 cm x 3 cm x 8.5 cm (5.5 x 1.2 x 3.3 inches approx.)
  • Tuner Technology: PLL (Phase-Locked Loop) with DSP (Digital Signal Processing)
  • Frequency Ranges:
    • FM: 64-108 MHz (or 87-108 MHz, depending on region setting)
    • MW (AM): 520-1710 kHz (or 522-1620 kHz)
    • LW: 153-513 kHz
    • SW: 2300-21950 kHz
  • Power Source: 3 x AA batteries (rechargeable Ni-MH supported via USB charging)
  • Audio Output Mode: Stereo (via earphones)
  • Display Type: LCD
  • Hardware Interface: 3.5mm Audio Jack (for earphones), USB 5V DC-IN
  • Included Components: Earphone, Instruction Manual
  • UPC/GTIN: 711102712097

Warranty and Support

For warranty information and technical support, please refer to the warranty card included with your product or contact your local TECSUN distributor or retailer. Keep your purchase receipt as proof of purchase.

For further assistance, you may also visit the official TECSUN website or contact their customer service department.

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